2 nabbed in stabbing death

Two men have been arrested in the murder of a Chowchilla man who died Tuesday morning after being stabbed Monday night.

The victim was identified by Chowchilla police as Leeshawn Sykes, 39, of Chowchilla.

The first suspect to be arrested was identified as Michael Aquino, 18, of Madera. Authorities say he is a known Norteno gang member.

Aquino was taken into custody after a 16-hour investigation by Chowchilla police officers, officers from the Madera Police Department Special Investigations Unit and detectives from the Madera County Narcotics Enforcement Team, according to D. Martin Piepenbrok, public information officer for the City of Chowchilla.

The second suspect was taken into custody Wednesday morning by the Special Investigations Unit, including officers from the Madera Police Department and the Chowchilla Police Department. He was identified as a Chowchilla resident, 34-year-old Anthony Simon.

The investigation is ongoing; anyone with any information about the case is invited to call Sgt. Daniel Denny of the Chowchilla Police Department, 665-8600.